AP govt issues guidelines for liquor bars licences

Andhra Pradesh government today issued fresh guidelines to sanction licences to new liquor bars on the basis of population, a move that came under sharp criticism from main opposition Telugu Desam Party.

Andhra Pradesh government on Monday issued fresh guidelines to sanction licences to new liquor bars on the basis of population, a move that came under sharp criticism from main opposition Telugu Desam Party.

As per the Government Order (GO), the eligibility for opening a bar in any municipality or municipal corporation will be calculated on the basis of 2001 census.

Accordingly, the eligibility criterion would be: one bar for every 30,000 for population up to three lakhs; one bar for 20,000 for population between three lakhs and seven lakhs; one bar for every 12,000 if the population is above seven lakhs.

If any excess bars or retail shops are found to be in existence in a particular municipality or city, as per the new guidelines issued today, they shall be deducted, the Order said.

Consequently, one retail shop for every 10,000 would be eligible if the population is up to 50,000 and one retail shop for every 15,000 would be eligible if the population is between 50,000 to seven lakhs.

Slamming the decision, TDP Chief N Chandrababu Naidu alleged that the Congress government has opened flood gates for flow of liquor in the state.

"The government is not able to provide clean drinking water, health care facilities and electricity to the people. But, they are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that liquor bars are available as per population. We will oppose this tooth and nail," he told reporters.

The state government has recently secured about Rs 7,000 crore by auctioning liquor shops.